Time Out! Devotions

(Life Principles by Dr. Charles Stanley from In Touch Ministries)

When you seek an intimate relationship with God and commit to obey Him no matter what, you will undoubtedly experience seasons of difficulty and uncertainty. This is because your walk with Him is a journey of faith, and there will be situations when your trust in Him is tested so your love for Him can grow. What will you cling to when problems rain down on your life and everything you depend upon seems to be swept away by intense winds of adversity? What will you hold on to when the waves of doubt threaten to crash down on you?

The Father has given you His immovable, unfailing Word to keep you anchored in your relationship with Him during such times of trial and testing. Scripture reminds you that He is absolutely faithful to fulfill every promise He has given (Joshua 23:14) and will never leave or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8). So read the Bible and cling to the truth you find within its pages. God assures you, “My word…will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

Life Principles Resources

NASB Life Principles Bible Read the Scriptures in Dr. Stanley’s favorite teaching translation while learning the 30 Life Principles that have guided him for more than 50 years. Buy Now »

Talking with God Experience the joy of connecting with the Lord in two-way communication. This study covers a variety of fascinating topics such as effective intercession, the value of fasting, what to do when prayers seem to go unanswered, the power of aligning with God’s will, and more. Buy Now »

Life Principles to Live By - Vol. 1 In the Bible, God has given us the promises and precepts necessary to become mature followers of Jesus Christ. In this first volume of his Life Principles sermon series, Dr. Stanley offers in-depth teaching on five of 30 truths that will help you grow in love, knowledge, and service to the Lord. Buy Now »

My son said he was ready to leave home and join the Army.

But how could I be sure?

By Ruth McVeigh, Battle Creek, Michigan

His room was tidy. He had packed away his stamp collection and the souvenirs from Scout camp. His brothers could wear his clothes, he said, for they probably wouldn’t fit him when he got back. I ran the vacuum over the faded rug.

A son departing for the armed forces is not a new experience. Our eldest has completed his obligation. Two others are still in the service. Now it is Tommy’s turn. Each time the questions smolder in my mind: Is he ready? What will sustain him in times of stress? Have we given him enough?

I shut off the vacuum and began to straighten Tommy’s books. As I picked up one, a folded paper fell out, and I read this short composition he had written for English class a couple of years before:

“A few weeks ago it was Easter, and our family colored eggs. The older kids hid candy, eggs and chocolate rabbits for the younger ones to hunt for the next morning. Then it was Easter, and we all went to church together. At church I was thinking how wonderful it is to have a big family like ours, all the fun we have together, all the places we go, and the things we do together. I thought how wonderful it is that all of us went to Communion as one body at this time. I felt close to God. Not just close, but close-close—like He was sitting right next to me.”

The heavy load slipped from my heart. Tommy was ready.

(from Mysterious Ways at Guideposts.com)

Romans 5:1-6 (NIV)

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

Paul used a beautiful phrase to describe the believer’s position in Christ: “We have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand . . . ” (Romans 5:2, emphasis added). This is no puddle of mercy that barely wets the toes, but rather a mighty ocean. The Lord’s kindness wraps around us without regard for our worth or merit.

God’s grace is an essential concept for believers to understand. He freely offers His favor to mankind because Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross purchased forgiveness and salvation for anyone who believes. However, many people think they are enjoying God’s kindness when what they are really trying to do is earn it. If we have to purchase, merit, or work for grace, then it is not a gift. The Lord is very clear that works cannot save us—in fact, He compares our good deeds to filthy rags (Ephesians 2:8-9; Isaiah 64:6).

On the other hand, grace is not a license to sin or to be lazy; Christians are called upon to serve the Lord every day. From the outside, it is usually impossible to distinguish between works and service in someone else’s life. But God knows the heart’s motivation. He accepts for His glory those things we do to show Him our love and to express appreciation for His countless blessings.

Dear Friend, serving God in order to earn His favor or to ensure that He continues to bless you amounts to thwarting grace. You can do nothing to deserve the Lord’s kindness! He pours it upon believers freely so that each one is standing in a full measure of grace.

(by Dr. Charles Stanley from the January 2010 issue of In Touch devotional magazine)

“I am comforted by this truth, that when we suffer and die for Christ it only means that we will begin living with Him in Heaven. And if we think that our present service for Him is hard, just remember that some day we are going to sit with Him and rule with Him. But if we give up when we suffer, and turn against Christ, then He must turn against us. Even when we are too weak to have any faith left, He remains faithful to us and will help us, for He cannot disown us who are part of Himself, and He will always carry out His promises to us.” (2 Timothy 2:11-13 – The Living Bible)

Jesus will stay by our side even when we have endured so much that we seem to have no faith left. We may be faithless at times, but Jesus remains faithful to His promise to be with us always, “even to the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20; Romans 8:38-39).

God is faithful to His children, and although we may suffer great hardships here, He promises that someday we will live eternally with Him. What will this involve? It means believers will live in Christ’s Kingdom, and that we will share in the administration of that Kingdom. This was Paul’s comfort as he went through suffering and death, and it can be ours, too.

Are you facing hardships? Don’t turn away from God — He promises you a wonderful future with Him. For more about living eternally with God, see Matthew 16:24-27; 19:28-29; Luke 22: 28-30; Romans 5:17; 6:8; 8:10-11; 8:17; 1 Corinthians 15:42-58; Colossians 3:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 3:21; 21:1-22:21.

(from the Life Application Bible – Living Bible edition)

“Follow God’s example in everything you do just as a much loved child imitates his father. Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, for Christ’s love for you was like sweet perfume to Him.”

Ephesians 5:1-2

Just as children imitate their parents, we should imitate Christ. His great love for us led Him to sacrifice himself so that we might live. Our love for others should be of the same kind — a love that goes beyond affection to self-sacrificing service.

“So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don’t be fools; be wise; make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to.”

Ephesians 5:15-17

By saying, “these are difficult days,” Paul communicates his sense of urgency because of evil’s pervasiveness. We need the same sense of urgency because our days are also difficult. We must keep our standards high, act wisely, and do good whenever we can. It is not enough to know what God wants us to do; we must also do it. We must follow our beliefs with actions.

“Always give thanks for everything to our God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5:20

When you feel down, you may find it difficult to give thanks. Take heart — God works all things out for our good if we love Him and are fitting into His plans (Romans 8:28). Thank God, not for your problems, but for the strength He is building in you through the difficult experiences of your life. You can be sure that God’s perfect love will see you through.

(from the Life Application Bible – Living Bible edition)